How do I set up an Etsy shop for handmade greeting cards in the UK?

Hi! Before you list your first handmade greeting cards on Etsy in the UK, make sure you’ve nailed (1) Etsy Payments + identity/bank verification, (2) delivery profiles (postage + processing times), and (3) your shop policies—especially returns/exchanges per listing and a GDPR-ready privacy policy—because those are the bits that most often cause admin headaches later.

Here’s a solid “set it up once, don’t regret it later” checklist:

1) Get the finance/admin setup done (UK basics)

• Etsy Payments + verification: During/after opening, Etsy will ask for identity details and may request ID. Make sure the name/address you enter matches your ID and your bank account name (this is a common snag).
• Bank details (UK sellers): Etsy can allow some “finish later” steps, but don’t leave bank verification hanging—Etsy can restrict selling if bank verification isn’t completed within their timelines after your first sale.
• Shop currency & location: Set your shop to GBP and your correct UK shop location, so postage estimates and buyer expectations are sensible.
• VAT ID (only if/when you’re VAT-registered): If you’re not VAT-registered, don’t invent anything here. Etsy may prompt you to add a VAT ID/taxpayer info if your shop approaches certain reporting thresholds—so just be ready for that later.

2) Delivery profiles (this matters a lot for greeting cards)

Because cards are light but can be “Letter / Large Letter,” you’ll want delivery profiles dialled in before you publish listings:

• Create 1–2 delivery profiles you can reuse (e.g., “UK – 1st/2nd class” and “UK + International”).
• Set processing time that you can hit consistently (even if you print at home—build in time for printing, drying/curing if relevant, packing, and post office run/collection).
• Decide how you’ll handle upgrades (e.g., Tracked/Signed) and dispatch days (don’t promise next-day dispatch if you can’t keep it).

Tip: Greeting cards are one of those products where a small pricing mistake in postage/packaging can wipe out your margin, so include your envelope, backing board, protective sleeve, label, tape, etc. in your shipping cost math.

3) Shop policies you should set before listing anything

In your Shop Manager policy settings, get these in place upfront:

• Returns & exchanges (set per listing): Etsy lets you apply returns/exchange policies to individual physical listings. Even if your policy is “no returns,” set it clearly so buyers see it on the listing.
• Cancellations (shop-wide): Pick a clear rule (e.g., cancellations accepted only within X hours, or before dispatch). This reduces back-and-forth when someone changes their mind.
• Privacy policy (GDPR): As a UK seller selling to UK/EU buyers, you should have a privacy policy that explains what customer data you receive (name, address), what you do with it (fulfilment/postage), and how long you keep it. Etsy provides a sample you can customise—use it, but make sure it matches what you actually do.

4) Listing readiness (so you don’t get tripped up later)

A few quick but important UK-relevant points for handmade cards:

• Canva designs/licensing: Double-check you’re allowed to use every element commercially (fonts, graphics, templates). If anything is “Canva Pro / licensed,” make sure your use fits their terms.
• Avoid trademark trouble: Don’t use trademarked character names, brand names, or “inspired by” phrases in titles/tags unless you truly have rights to do so.
• Photos & personalisation info: If you offer options (blank inside, personalised message, packs of 5/10), make that crystal clear in variations and photos so you don’t end up refunding for misunderstandings.

If you tell me (1) whether you’ll ship UK-only or international, and (2) whether your cards are standard letter, large letter, or thicker/hand-embellished, I can suggest a clean delivery-profile structure and a simple set of policy choices that fit greeting cards well.